Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed mass protests over the jailing of his chief political rival as a violent movement that the opposition would be held accountable for.

A media workers union says Turkish authorities detained several journalists from their homes amid escalating protests triggered by the imprisonment of a top rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Opponents say President Recep Tayyip Erdogan manipulates the courts and the media to tighten his grip on power, and now is trying to prevent a top contender from running for president.